The OSS Society’s Annual Dinner 2012

At the dinner of the OSS Society, which honors former and current professionals in the intelligence business, each guest was served a perfectly dry gin martini, an homage to the OSS, Ernest Hemingway, and the liberation of France in World War II. Photograph by James R. Brantley.

Former CIA director William Webster has a word with the current director, General David Petraeus. Photograph by James R. Brantley.

Sean Hemingway, grandson of Ernest Hemingway, with his father-in-law, Joseph Czapski. Photograph by James R. Brantley.

Commander Canadian defense liaison Major General E. Nicholas Matern and OSS veteran Walter Mess. Photograph by James R. Brantley.

Major General Victor J. Jugo Jr. with Viscount John Slim. Slim presented a toast at dinner on behalf of “the allies.” Photograph by James R. Brantley.

Among those who presented toasts was retired army colonel Sully de Fontaine, here with his wife, Angelique and Carla Hilbert. The de Fontaines now live outside Las Vegas, Nevada. Photograph by James R. Brantley.

Former UN ambassador John Negroponte and former CIA director William Webster. Photograph by James R. Brantley.

Former Secretary of Defense Robert Gates was honored with the William J. Donovan Award for service to the United States. Gates had a long career with the CIA, including at one time serving as director. Photograph by James R. Brantley.

Guests give a round of applause to Cynthia Helms, widow of former CIA director Richard Helms. Photograph by James R. Brantley.

Deputy Commander of the US Special Operations Command Lieutenant General John Mulholland and former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Michael Mullen. Photograph by James R. Brantley.

The OSS dinner was a night for bringing out the medals, and most of the guests did. Here’s US Marine Corps Major General Richard Lake, talking with George Pappas. Photograph by James R. Brantley.

Chairman of the OSS Society Major General John Singlaub and Paul Wong. Singlaub was in the OSS and helped create its successor, the Central Intelligence Agency. Photograph by James R. Brantley.

Wouldn’t it be fun to know what these men are talking about—a joke or national security? They are former director of national intelligence Ambassdor John Negroponte, former CIA director William Webster, awardee former CIA director Robert Gates, and current CIA director General David Petraeus. Photograph by James R. Brantley.